Thomas Edison's Attic:
Playlist
from April 17, 2007

The audio curator at Edison National Historic Site rummages through the archives of the legendary Edison Laboratory of West Orange, New Jersey. Tune in for Edison cylinder and disc record rarities, many not heard since "the old man" himself stashed them away, featuring: Tin Pan Alley pop songs, ragtime, vaudeville comedy sketches, flapper dance bands, old-time country tunes, historic classical music, laboratory experiments and other artifacts - all dating from 1888 through 1929.

Listener comments!

Wed. 4/18/07 11:06pm
Rich Markow:
Hi Jerry - Nice show! Hawaiian record you played not slack key - that's a fingerpicking style. Also - not a slide whistle on that waltz, but a saw, played w/a bow. Y'know, you have a lot of very nice Hawaiian material at Edison. You oughtta have Mal Rockwell on via remote & do an entire Hawaiian program. Great work!

Wed. 4/25/07 1:19pm
Jerry:
Thanks for the comments, Rich. Corrections are welcome!! Mello cello waltz: If that's a saw, it's surprisingly up-front and full sounding, for an acoustic recording. Listening thru headphones, it sounds almost breathy, which made me think slide whistle. Though, it does have that constant vibrato, which hints towards a saw. I bet you're right. My mistake on the "slack key".

Fri. 12/7/07 12:22am
Robin:
Thank you for my grandfather's voice!! - he died before I was born. This broadcast inspired me to track down more Edison recordings for my son & my grandsons - NOT TO MENTION THE JOY IT BROUGHT TO MY 86 yr. old MOTHER AND AUNT.thanks!!! What a treasure you are providing.....

Fri. 12/7/07 12:25am
Robin:
Sorry I left out the fact that Harry Donaghy was my Grandfather - I'm not internet savy.....